A Matter of Leverage

An oversized umbrella leaned near the entry door, its dark ribbed canopy furled tight. I walked up to the curved wooden crook of the handle resting against the wall. A challenge of weight. I caught the lower brass ferrule with both hands, tested the angle, and kicked the base outward just enough to break its resting friction. It began to tilt in a wide, heavy arc. Rather than stepping aside, I braced one foot on a wooden doorstop and caught the falling shaft right across my shoulder, absorbing the impact without budging an inch. A dull thud echoed through the quiet hallway as it came to a dead halt. Perfectly balanced.